B.ha bursts on to Singapore fashion scene in lingerie

French lingerie label B.ha burst onto the Singapore fashion scene with an evening of runway glamour and champagne. The exclusive launch, held at the Ritz-Carlton, featured 46 sets of lingerie categorised into 4 themes - Sexy Glam, Romance, Essentials and Swimwear. An audience of 500 industry players, media, and VIPs attended the event.

Pronounced ‘bee-har’, B.ha means ‘brassiere’ and the label hopes to use Singapore as its launch pad to the rest of Asia. Launched in 1991, the label is an offshoot of established lifestyle brand Daniel Hechter. (gallery)

Singapore ranked at the bottom of corruption survey, that’s good.

The Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (Perc) expects corruption to emerge as a hot-button issue in Asia this year as slowing growth, rising food prices and political campaigns feed a groundswell against graft.

But Singapore is unlikely to be tainted as expatriates surveyed by the Hong Kong-based group once again rank it the least corrupt economy in the region.

The annual survey also rated Hong Kong and Japan highly among 13 Asian economies.

The Philippines was deemed the most corrupt for the second consecutive year.

Thailand, China, Indonesia, India and Vietnam fared poorly too.

The 1,400 expatriates surveyed in January and February this year were asked to grade the extent that corruption detracts from the attractiveness of the business environment they work in.

Singapore scored with its ‘no-nonsense approach to corruption’, the report said. (story)

Festival ends successfully

The Media Development Authority (MDA) - host of the 2007 Asia Media Festival - has clinched a landmark collaboration with an international agency and sealed several regional projects, ending the two-week event on a high note. At the opening ceremony of Festival last month, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, Dr Lee Boon Yang, had announced a collaboration between MDA and international talent agency, William Morris Agency (WMA).

The aim - to internationalise local capabilities and nurture the next generation of Singapore executives and talents to learn from industry veterans, and facilitate exchanges between Singapore and the Hollywood creative community. (story)

Defunct university agrees to repay millions in loans

University of New South Wales (UNSW), which shut its Asia campus here early this year, has agreed to repay Singapore over $32 million in backed loans and grants, The Straits Times has learned. The settlement, announced on Tuesday, ends a tumultuous experiment for the Sydney-based university.

The school dropped a bombshell in May when it announced it was making a quick exit after just three months of classes - and after receiving $17.3 million in grants and $15 million in loans from the Government.

In September, the school said it might be forced into insolvency. Politicians raised concerns that that the Government might never see the $17.3 million in grant money again. (story)

ZoukOut dance festival to return

Singapore’s thriving entertainment scene will reach a high point December 8th, when it will host its famous annual ‘ZoukOut’ dance music festival, uniting dance music lovers from across Asia and the Middle East.

The island-nation’s trademark annual dance music festival will feature some of the world’s top international DJs.

Already in its 7th season, the high-energy extravaganza will unite tens of thousands of clubbers and music enthusiasts from around the world at the famed Siloso beach, which transforms into an exuberant outdoor party from dusk until dawn.

Singapore is a premier events destination in Asia and is rapidly gaining a reputation for its unique nightlife, which offers a safe, yet exciting and fast-paced entertainment scene for travellers from the Middle East.

“Our Annual ZoukOut Festival has become one of Singapore’s signature events. It has a strong local fan base, whilst attracting an increasing number of Middle East travellers who come specifically to attend this high octane event,” said Siew-Kheng Kang, Regional Director for South Asia, Middle East & Africa, Singapore Tourism Board. (story)

Godiva recalls chocolate over metal debris

Godiva Chocolatier (Asia) Ltd has notified the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) that it is recalling its 16-piece Christmas Carre Gift Box containing Christmas Milk Caramel Carre chocolate squares, following two reports in Japan of a small strand of metal found in the chocolate. No injuries have been reported.

A statement from AVA on Friday said the recall is a voluntary one.

AVA has directed the importers to recall the affected product from the market immediately.

These gift boxes, carrying the produce code 5000059, are only available in Godiva-owned retail stores in Singapore. About 40 boxes of the chocolates have been sold. (story)

Former trader found guilty

High Court has found a former stock trader guilty of posting false, price sensitive information on the Internet about listed company Datacraft Asia.Able Wang Ziyi, 42, now faces a possible jail term of up to seven years and a fine of $250,000 when his sentence is passed in January.

The High Court overturned last year’s acquittal of Wang, who had posted a claim that Datacraft’s office was raided by police in 2004.

In his ruling on Thursday, Judge VK Rajah said stock traders should be responsible for what they post on the Internet because if the rumour turns out to be false or unsubstantiated, they could face prosecution. (story)

Leaders gather to share global opinions

Bilateral issues aside, that was the essence of the meetings Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew had on Friday with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

Both Indian leaders listened carefully as they probed Mr Lee’s thoughts on recent happenings within Asean, the rest of Asia and other issues of global interest.

At a half-hour call on PM Singh on Friday, Mr Lee was received as an old friend of India, according to officials who attended the meeting. Both described the relationship as “excellent.”

Dr Singh, who as finance minister started the economic reforms that are now yielding close to double-digit economic growth, noted with satisfaction the rapid growth in investment and trade ties between the two countries.

Singapore is currently the seventh largest trade partner to India, a nation of more than a billion people. (story)